Toby Greene is expected to take the unusual step of formally appealing his five-match club suspension by Greater Western Sydney, on the grounds that the punishment is excessive for a player breaching club protocols.

The Giants said that Greene’s manager Paul Connors had notified them of their intention to ‘‘dispute’’ the ban.

Greene, who cannot play in either the AFL or with the Giants reserves over the next five matches and was fined $5000, will be seeking a reduced penalty in a case that will be heard by a three-man panel. He has been backed by the AFL Players Association, which said the punishment to Greene was ‘‘disproportionate’’ given that the midfielder was being disciplined for ‘‘breach of protocols’’ by the club, rather than the incident itself, because the club did not want to pre-empt any court finding.

Greene was charged by police with a range of offences – including assault by kicking, assault with a weapon and intentionally causing serious injury – after an incident in a Caulfield nightspot on Monday evening. The club’s penalty – sanctioned by club management and the player leadership group – was handed down early on Friday.

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The appeal is likely to be heard early next week by a panel consisting of a club official, the AFLPA player delegate from the club – probably Jonathan Giles – and an independent person agreed upon by the AFL and the AFLPA.

The Greene camp and players’ association accept that Greene should be suspended for drinking while injured and for failing to inform the club of the incident. But they believe that he deserved a one-match or, at worst, two-match suspension for the breaches, given that he will also be dealt with by the courts, and that the club maintains that it is not punishing him for the substance of what prompted the police charges.

He does not face court until September, and will receive counselling.

The Giants’ administration, however, believe the punishment is appropriate – they note that it has been approved by the Greene’s fellow peers in the leadership group, including captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward, who is one of a number of Giant players managed by Connors.

‘‘The AFL Players Association believes that the penalty imposed on Toby Greene is unwarranted in the circumstances,’’ said Brett Murphy, the AFLPA’s acting player relations manager. ‘‘It’s important to note that the penalty relates to Toby’s breach of club protocol. Whilst we support the club not dealing with the alleged incidents for which Toby has been charged at this time, to protect the integrity of the criminal process, a five-week suspension for breach of protocols is grossly disproportionate.’’

In announcing the penalty, Giants chief executive David Matthews said: ‘‘We are in no way pre-judging the charges against Toby, which will be heard in court later this year. However, Toby has failed to meet the standards expected of the playing group.’’